City Comparison
Padang Besar vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Padang Besar scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Padang Besar
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Padang Besar is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
71% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Padang Besar's average rent is
80% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Padang Besar | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $280 | $1,412 | -80% |
| Groceries | $220 | $450 | -51% |
| Utilities | $55 | $281 | -80% |
| Transport | $75 | $126 | -40% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $135 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $690 | $2,404 | -71% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 88% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Padang Besar is estimated at
$6,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Padang Besar | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 17,143 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $11,500 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Padang Besar runs warmer on average — a 81.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Padang Besar comes out ahead with 125 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Padang Besar sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Padang Besar | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 104.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 125 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Padang Besar has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Padang Besar | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Padang Besar is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Padang Besar has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Padang Besar | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,000 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Padang Besar
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to major Malaysian urban centers
Unique cross-border cultural experience with direct access to Thailand and duty-free shopping
Extremely low crime rate and secure, tight-knit community atmosphere
Abundant access to affordable, high-quality local cuisine and fresh regional produce
Strategic location as a key international rail and transport gateway
Drawbacks
Limited high-paying corporate job opportunities and restricted local economic diversification
Absence of advanced medical facilities locally, requiring travel to larger cities for specialized care
Very limited public transit infrastructure, necessitating car or motorcycle ownership
Hot and humid tropical climate year-round with heavy seasonal rainfall
Scarcity of large-scale entertainment, nightlife, and modern cultural amenities
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Padang Besar
#16Perlis, Malaysia
80.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$280
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
42
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
125/yr
Avg Temp
81.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
62
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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